Municipality of Chatham-Kent officials say they communicated on Friday that they hoped to be in a position as early as noon on Saturday, June 19 to terminate the Declaration of the State of Emergency and also the evacuation order that affected the lands within the community of Wheatley and within the boundary of Chatham-Kent.
Based on the advice of technical experts, Municipal officials say they are now able to narrow the evacuation order to just two properties in Wheatley, those being 15 Erie Street North and 9 Talbot Street.
All other owners and occupants will no longer be prevented from entering their properties subject to an inspection by emergency services personnel prior to entry.
The Declaration of the State of Emergency will remain in effect while the Municipality continues to work with the two remaining property owners to put gas monitoring in place before ending the Declaration of the State of Emergency, Municipal officials say.
Residents may call 519-350-2956 for general information between the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Gift cards will also be available for evacuated or returning residents who require assistance replacing perished food, Municipal officials say.
“We are all anxious to see the community of Wheatley return to its vibrant state with businesses re-opened and residents back in their homes but based on the advice we have received, some further monitoring of two locations is required before we can move the whole community back out of a state of emergency,” Mayor Darrin Canniff said in a media release.
Chatham-Kent firefighters joined residents and business owners to conduct gas readings on Saturday as well.
Fire crews on scene at Erie St. N in Wheatley.
Firefighters will be accompanying residents and business owners to conduct gas readings as they are finally able to return to the area which has been closed since June 2nd because of a gas leak. pic.twitter.com/Dn9bBctxxt
— Chatham-Kent Fire (@ckfiredept) June 19, 2021
Businesses on Erie St. N in Wheatley being checked for gas readings before being turned back over to owners. pic.twitter.com/iQwPv1NW2N
— Chatham-Kent Fire (@ckfiredept) June 19, 2021
Firefighters conduct gas readings as residents finally return home after being evacuated on June 2nd because of a gas leak. pic.twitter.com/jvUgMJoGNZ
— Chatham-Kent Fire (@ckfiredept) June 19, 2021
